Swearingen Aviation Corporation became a wholly owned subsidiary of Fairchild
Industries in 1979, and from early 1981 has been known as Fairchild
Swearingen Corporation.

Ed. J. Swearingen built up his business initially by building prototypes
for other companies, and by designing and marketing improved versions
of Beech Queen Air and Twin Bonanza aircraft. In 1964 Swearingen began
the development of an aircraft known as the Swearingen Merlin IIA. This
was a turboprop-powered eight-seat executive aircraft, which combined
a new fuselage of Swearingen design with a modified Queen Air wing and
Twin Bonanza landing gear. First flown on April 13, 1965, the Merlin
IIA proved a tractable design and deliveries began in August 1966 shortly
after the receipt of certification.

To follow were the developments of the Merlin IIB and Merlin III.

Developed more or less simultaneously with the Merlin III was the SA226TC
Metro, 20-passenger commuter airliner having the same power plant and
differing from it primarily by having a lengthened fuselage to provide
necessary accommodation.

The aircraft is pressurized capable of flying above inclement weather.

The Metroliner serves as a safe and
reliable passenger and cargo hauler throughout the world! Perimeter Airlines
and QuikAir operate the metro
on scheduled passenger service routes. Perimeter Airlines also offers
corporate and air ambulance services.
As a veteran operator of the Metro II, Perimeter Airlines has made many
innovative changes to the design of the Metro. The airline installed
Garrett engines with quieter and more efficient Hartzell propellers.
The Metros are all equipped with modern avionics suites including certified
KLN 90B GPS’s.